Magnetic battery tester housing

ABSTRACT

In various implementations, a housing for a battery tester may include a body with a first side and an opposing second side. The first side may include a presentation member, such as a screen and an input member. The screen may include a touch screen and/or the input member may include a keypad, such as a keypad with arrows. The second side may be magnetic such that the battery tester can be coupled to a magnetic surface. The second side may, in some implementations, include holster(s) that allows clamps to be stored in the holster. The holster(s) may be removable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/752,864 entitled “Battery Testing Housing” andfiled on Oct. 30, 2018, which is incorporated fully herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a housing for a battery tester.

BACKGROUND

Battery testers may be utilized to determine the charge in a battery.However, during use, since users' hands may be gloved and/or dirty,battery testers often slip and are dropped. In addition, some mayrequire users to remove gloves to use (e.g., due to touch screenfeatures and/or small keys). Thus, a battery tester housing that iscapable of being operated by users wearing or not wearing gloves and/orin which slipping (e.g., out of hands during use) is inhibited areneeded.

SUMMARY

In various implementations, a battery tester housing may include a bodythat is capable of receiving components (e.g., electronic and/ormechanical components) that allow a battery to be tested. The body mayinclude a presentation member, input member, holster, clamps, etc. Thebody may include one or more magnets that allow the battery tester to becoupled to a magnetic surface. The magnet(s) may not substantiallyinterfere with the operations of the battery tester.

In various implementations, a battery tester may test a strength of abattery. The battery tester may include a housing that contains thecomponents that are used to test a strength of the battery. The housingmay include a first side, a second opposing side, a third side disposedbetween the first side and the second side of the housing, and a fourthside disposed between the first side and the second side of the housing.The housing may include at least two parts. A first part of the housingmay receive components such as components for presentation to and/orreceiving input from a user, such as touch screens, keypads, LCDscreens, etc. A second part of the housing may be coupled to the firstpart of the housing (e.g., directly and/or indirectly). The second partmay include an inner surface and an outer surface. The second part ofthe housing may include, in some implementations, a raised portion thatextends from the outer surface. The second part may include magnetreceiving members and magnets. The second part of the housing mayinclude four or more magnet receiving members disposed on the innersurface in the raised portion and/or four or more magnets disposed inthe four or more magnet receiving members. A first magnet and a secondmagnet may be disposed closer to the first side of the housing than thethird magnet and the fourth magnet and/or the first magnet and the thirdmagnet may be disposed closer to the third side than the second magnetand the fourth magnet. The housing may include a cavity disposed betweenthe coupled first part and the second part. The cavity may extend intothe inner surface of the raised portion extending from the outer surfaceand/or may receive the magnets and one or more components capable oftesting a strength of a battery. The housing of the battery tester maybe magnetic such that the battery tester can be coupled to a magneticsurface.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thehousing of the battery tester may include one or more ports proximatethe second side of the housing. Cables may extend through the ports andbe coupled at a first end to clamps. Other ends of the cables may becoupled to components disposed in the cavity of the housing andconfigured to test a strength of a battery. The clamps may be configuredto contact battery leads during testing of a strength of the battery.The magnet(s) of the housing may include neodymium magnets and/or anyother appropriate magnet. At least a portion of the second part of thehousing may include a rubberized outer surface. At least a portion ofthe second part of the housing may have a greater potential frictionthan the first part of the housing to inhibit movement of the batterytester when coupled to the magnetic surface. The housing may include athird part disposed between the first part and the second part when thefirst part and the second of the housing are coupled. The third part maybe decorative and/or a gasket. The the first part and/or the second partmay include one or more chamfered corners. The first part and/or thesecond part may include one or more beveled edges.

In various implementations, a battery tester housing may include a firstside, a second opposing side, a third side disposed between the firstside and the second side of the housing, and a fourth side disposedbetween the first side and the second side of the housing. The housingmay include at least two parts, in some implementations. A first part ofthe housing may receive and/or be coupled to components capable ofinteracting with the user (e.g., presentation and/or input components).The second part of the housing may be coupled to the first part of thehousing (e.g., directly and/or indirectly). The second part may includean inner surface and an outer surface. The second part of the housingmay include four or more magnet receiving members disposed on the innersurface of the second part of the housing. Four or more magnets may bedisposed in the four or more magnet receiving members. A first magnetand a second magnet may be disposed closer to the first side than athird magnet and a fourth magnet in the housing and/or the first magnetand the third magnet may be disposed closer to the third side of thehousing than the second magnet and the fourth magnet disposed in thesecond part of the housing. The housing may include a cavity disposedbetween the coupled first part and the second part. The cavity mayreceive the magnets and one or more components capable of testing astrength of a battery. The housing of the battery tester may be magneticsuch that the battery tester can be coupled to a magnetic surface.

Implementation may include one or more of the following features. Thebattery tester housing may include a raised portion that extends fromthe outer surface. The cavity may extend into the inner surface of theraised portion and/or the magnet receiving members may be disposed inthe portion of the cavity that extends into the raised portion. Thebattery tester housing may include ports proximate the second side ofthe housing. Cables may extend through the ports and be coupled toclamps (e.g., at one end and be coupled to components of the batterytester that are capable of testing the strength of a battery on anotherend). The clamps may be configured to contact battery leads duringtesting of a strength of the battery. Magnets may include neodymiummagnets and/or any other appropriate type of magnet. At least a portionof the second part of the housing may include a rubberized outersurface. At least a portion of the second part of the housing may have agreater potential friction than the first part of the housing to inhibitmovement of the battery tester when coupled to the magnetic surface. Thebattery tester housing may include a third part disposed between thefirst part and the second part when the first part and the second of thehousing are coupled. The third part may be decorative and/or may includegasket. The first part and/or the second part may include one or morechamfered corners. The first part and/or the second part may include oneor more beveled edges. The length of the housing may be greaterproximate the first side and the second side of the housing than atleast a portion of the housing between the first side and the secondside.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the implementations will be apparent from thedescription and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features,reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an implementation of an examplebattery tester housing.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side perspective view of an implementation of theexample battery tester housing illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded view of an implementation of the examplebattery tester housing illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1 D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the batterytester housing illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of anexample housing of a battery tester.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2F illustrates a top view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2G illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2H illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of anexample housing of a battery tester.

FIG. 2I illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2H.

FIG. 2J illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2H.

FIG. 2K illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2H.

FIG. 2L illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2K.

FIG. 2M illustrates a top view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2H.

FIG. 2N illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 2H.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of anexample housing of a battery tester.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3F illustrates a top view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3G illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3H illustrates a front view of an implementation of an examplehousing of a battery tester that includes a base in which the battertester can be disposed.

FIG. 3I illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of theexample housing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3H.

FIG. 3J illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3H.

FIG. 3K illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3H.

FIG. 3L illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3H.

FIG. 3M illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3H.

FIG. 3N illustrates a top view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3H.

FIG. 3O illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 3H.

FIG. 3P illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, as illustrated in FIG. 3H, disposed in abase.

FIG. 4A illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of anexample housing of a battery tester.

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4F illustrates a top view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4G illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of anexample housing of a battery tester.

FIG. 5B illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5E illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5F illustrates a top view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5G illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5H illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5A, with theremovable holsters for the clamps removed from the housing.

FIG. 5I illustrates a front perspective view of an implementation of anexample housing of a battery tester that includes a base in which thebatter tester can be disposed.

FIG. 5J illustrates a front view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5I.

FIG. 5K illustrates a back view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5I.

FIG. 5L illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5I.

FIG. 5M illustrates a side view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5I.

FIG. 5N illustrates a top view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5I.

FIG. 5O illustrates a bottom view of an implementation of the examplehousing of the battery tester, illustrated in FIG. 5I.

Like references and/or reference symbols in the various drawingsindicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While historically commercial battery testers were large and wheeledfrom car to car for battery testing, in the past several years batterytesters (e.g., for vehicles such as cars and boats) have been producedthat are smaller in scale. However, as the size of the battery testerhas decreased, so has the incidence of loss. Smaller battery testers maybe more easily misplaced, dropped, and/or damaged when misplaced (e.g.,left where a car and/or repair equipment may roll over the batterytester). A magnetic battery tester housing may increase usersatisfaction by decreasing incidents of loss, increasing ease of use(e.g., since a user may couple the tester close by) and/or decreaseincidental damage (e.g., due leaving a battery tester in a place it maybe damaged such as the floor, near a car wheel, etc.).

In various implementations, a battery tester may include housing that iscapable of receiving components (e.g., electronic and/or mechanicalcomponents) that are capable of testing the strength of a battery. Thebattery tester may include cables and/or clamps that contact the battery(e.g., leads of the battery) and operate with the other components totest the strength of a battery (e.g., of a vehicle). The housing mayhave one or more features that may facilitate operation of the batterytester, inhibit damage (e.g., by inhibiting dropping and/or slippage),and/or increase user satisfaction.

FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of an implementation of a battery testerand FIG. 1B illustrates a side perspective view of an implementation ofa battery tester. FIGS. 1A-B are illustrated with a partiallytransparent top. FIG. 1C illustrates an exploded view of a simplifiedbattery tester (e.g., components to test the battery may be simplifiedand/or vary) and FIG. 1D illustrates a portion the back part of thebattery tester. The battery tester housing may be magnetic. Thus, thebattery tester may be coupled (e.g., removably) to a magnetic surface.By allowing the battery tester to be coupled to the magnetic surface, asdesired by a user, loss and/or damage to the battery tester orcomponents thereof may be decreased and user satisfaction with thedevice may be increased. For example, the battery tester may be coupledto magnetic surfaces such as, but not limited to, vehicles or portionsthereof, poles (e.g., in shops), carts, tool boxes, wearables (e.g.,belts with magnetic surfaces, vests with magnetic surfaces, etc.),magnetic boards (e.g., white boards, peg boards, and/or chalk boards),other vehicle testing equipment, vehicle repair equipment, and/or anyother appropriate magnetic surface. The magnetic battery tester may havea housing that is magnetic on one side and not magnetic on at least oneother side (e.g., such that a predetermined side is visible and/orhidden to protect a predetermined side).

As illustrated, the battery tester 100 may include a housing 110. Thehousing may include a body with a length 101, a height 102, and a width103. The body may have a first side 111, a second opposing side 112, athird side 113 disposed between the first side and the second side, anda fourth side 114 disposed between the first side and the second side.

The housing may include a body with at least a first part 120 (e.g.,proximate a front of the battery tester) and a second part 130 (e.g.,proximate the back of the battery tester). A third part 140 may bedisposed between the first part 120 and the second part 150. The thirdpart may at least partially circumscribe the housing of the batterytester as illustrated. The third part may be decorative (e.g., a stripeat least partially circumscribing the housing) and/or a functional. Thethird part 140 may be a gasket in some implementations. The third partmay be integral with the first part 120 or the second part 130 or notincluded in some implementations. The first part 120 and the second part130 may couple together (e.g., using any appropriate coupling memberssuch as adhesive and/or fasteners 107) and a cavity 150 may be disposedbetween the first part and the second part.

The first part and/or the second part may include one or more chamferedcorners. The first part and/or the second part may include one or morebeveled edges. Chamfered corners and/or beveled edges may be decorativeand/or functional. For example, the chamfered corners and beveled edgesmay be less prone to damage upon dropping (e.g., since sharp corners maynot be bent upon dropping); may reduce the incidence of sharp corners ofthe housing causing damage to other people and/or items; etc.

In some implementations, the housing may include features to facilitategrip and inhibit dropping during use. For example, the length of thehousing may be greater proximate the first side and the second side ofthe housing than at least a portion of the housing between the firstside and the second side. The smaller portion between the first side andthe second side may act as a gripping area to allow a user to moreeasily grip and/or retain the housing during use (e.g., as opposed to ahousing with a more uniform cross-section along the height between thefirst side and the second side).

A first part 120 of the housing 110 of the battery tester 100 mayinclude opening(s) and/or recess(es) 122 for presentation component(s)123 and/or input component(s) 124. The presentation component mayinclude a screen (e.g., touch screen and/or LCD screen), lightingcomponents (e.g., LEDs), etc. An input device may include a keypad(e.g., arrow, enter, delete, alphanumeric, etc.), touch screen, etc. Thepresentation component and the input components may be separate pieces,unibody (e.g., a touchscreen capable of presenting information and/orallowing input of information), and/or pieces coupled together. In someimplementations, a keypad may include arrows to allow use while wearinggloves (e.g., since many gloves may inhibit touchscreen operation; sinceaccurate touching on touch screens may be difficult while wearing workgloves, and/or since fingers may be less flexible when wearing gloves).The keypad may be disposed below the screen to allow a user to view thescreen while activating the keypad. The first piece of the housing mayinclude a recess to receive a label 125 (e.g., including device name,brand, etc.), in some implementations.

The second part 130 of the housing 110 of the battery tester may includean inner side 131 and an opposing outer side 132. The inner side 131 ofthe second part 130 may include one or more magnet receiving memberssuch as one or more magnet recesses 132 and/or magnet protrusions. Amagnet receiving member may help retain a magnet in a closed housing(e.g., a lip of a magnet receiving member may inhibit a magnet fromdislodging from a predetermined position) even when a bonding, betweenthe magnet and the second part, such as adhesive, fails. Positioning themagnet in the cavity of the housing may extend the life of the magneticbattery tester since the magnet may still reside in the housing and becapable of coupling with magnetic surfaces even if the magnet becomesdislodged from an initial position. A magnet recess 132 may beconfigured to receive at least a portion of a magnet 134 (e.g.,neodymium magnet). In some implementations, the body may include magnetprotrusion(s) (e.g., a raised annular ring to receive magnet(s);protrusions that at least partially define a region in which a magnet isto be disposed; etc.) that are configured to receive at least a portionof a magnet. The magnet recess(es) and/or magnet protrusion(s) maydefine a region in which a magnet is to be disposed. The magnetrecess(es) and/or magnet protrusion(s) may have a similar shape asmagnet(s) to be disposed in the magnet recess(es) and/or magnetprotrusion(s). The magnet recess(es) and/or magnet protrusion(s) may belarger in cross-sectional area (e.g., slightly larger, such asapproximately 5% larger than a magnet size; and/or any appropriate sizelarger) than a cross-sectional area of a magnet, in someimplementations.

In some implementations, the housing may not include magnet receivingmembers. The magnets may be coupled to an inner surface of the secondpart of the housing, in some implementations.

One or more magnets may be disposed in the second part of the housing toallow the housing to be magnetic and couple with magnetic surfaces(e.g., a surface to which a magnet is capable of coupling such as asurface that includes another magnet with the appropriate polarity,steel, iron, iron alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, cobalt, cobalt alloys,etc.). Magnet(s) may include neodymium magnets and/or any otherappropriate type of magnet. In some implementations, at least 2 magnetsmay be disposed in the second part 130 of the housing 110. A firstmagnet may be disposed more proximate a third side than a second magnetin some implementations. In some implementations, four magnets may bedisposed in the second part 130 of the housing 110. As illustrated, afirst magnet and a second magnet may be more proximate the first side ofthe housing than the third magnet and the fourth magnet. The firstmagnet and the third magnet may be disposed more proximate a third sideof the housing than the second magnet and the fourth magnet. A magnetmay be a single magnet or multiple magnets (e.g., stacked).

In some implementations, the second part 130 of the housing 110 mayinclude one magnet. For example, the magnet may have a shape similar toa plate. The plate magnet may be disposed approximately centrallybetween the third side and the fourth side of the second part of thehousing.

In various implementations, the magnets may be coupled to the batterytester housing and/or disposed in the battery tester housing. Forexample, the magnets may be disposed in the magnet recesses and retainedby contact with other components of the housing (e.g., when the firstand second part are coupled together). As another example, the magnetsmay be coupled by any appropriate manner, such as bonding, gluing,affixing, protrusions (e.g., flexible arms) that extend to retain themagnet, cover plate(s), etc.

The number, type and/or size of magnet(s) disposed in the housing may bebased on the size and/or weight of the battery tester or portionsthereof (e.g., housing, cables, etc.) For example, for a battery testerhousing less than approximately 10 inches in height and less thanapproximately 5 inches in length, four neodymium magnets may beutilized. As another example, the size, shape, and/or number of magnetsmay be selected such that the weight of the cables and clamps extendingfrom the battery tester do not cause the magnetic battery tester toslide from a first position to a second position (e.g., more thanapproximately 5 inches away) and/or uncouple from a magnetic surface.

In some implementations, the position(s) of the magnet(s) may beselected such that the magnets are capable of coupling with a magneticsurface contacting the outer surface of the second part of the housingwhile not interfering with operations of the battery tester (e.g.,magnetic interference with communication components, sensors, etc.). Themagnets may be less than approximately 20 mm and/or less thanapproximately 16 mm from a communication component (e.g., Bluetooth), insome implementations. The magnet(s) may be disposed less thanapproximately 3 mm or less than approximately 2.5 mm from the back outersurface. The magnet(s) may not interfere with operations of theprogrammable logic disposed in the cavity. In some implementations, ashield may not be utilized between the programmable logic and themagnets.

In some implementations, at least a portion of the outer surface of thesecond part may include a material, texture, and/or feature tofacilitate retention of the magnetic battery tester on a magneticsurface (e.g., work cart, vehicle, pole, I-beam, etc.). For example, atleast a portion may be rubberized. The rubberized outer surface orportion thereof may aid retention of the magnetic battery tester at aposition on a magnetized surface and/or inhibit damage to the magneticsurface to which the battery tester couples. As another example, atleast a portion of the second part may have greater friction than at thefirst part such that sliding of the second part is inhibited whencoupled to a magnetic surface (e.g., the potential friction for staticfriction of at least a portion of the second part is greater than thepotential friction for static friction of the first part). For example,the plastic may have a tackiness, in some implementations. Thus, thesecond part or portion thereof (e.g., rubberized portion) and themagnets may retain the battery tester at approximately a first position(e.g., the position to which it was initially coupled) rather slidingfrom a first position to a second position. The use of a frictionallyretaining outer surface or portion thereof may allow the use of weakermagnets than if a smooth or slippery outer surface was utilized, whichmay increase user enjoyment of the device (e.g., since it may not bedifficult to remove the magnetic battery tester from a magnetizedsurface if a frictionally retaining outer surface is used rather than astronger magnet to retain a battery tester in a first position).

The outer surface may include labels, instructions, and/or otherinformation on a panel 138.

In some implementations, the second part of the housing may include oneor more feet extending from the second part. Feet may include arubberized portion (e.g., to inhibit scratching and/or damage ofmagnetic surfaces to which the battery tester couple) and act as therubberized portion of the outer surface of the second part to retain acouple battery tester at approximately a first position. In someimplementations, the height of the feet may increase the distance themagnetic forces need to travel to interact with a magnetic surface andthe strength and/or number of magnets may be increased.

The cavity 140 of the battery tester housing may include one or morecomponents of the battery tester to facilitate testing the strength ofthe battery. For example, components such as lighting a programablelogic component 180 (e.g., PCB), battery (e.g., to operate lights andprogrammable logic component), communication component(s) (e.g.,Bluetooth, Wireless, etc.), and/or any other appropriate component maybe disposed in the cavity of the housing 110. The battery tester mayinclude lighting components 184 at least partially disposed in thecavity. The lighting components 184 may extend through orifices 127 inthe first part of the housing and/or be visible through the first partof the housing. The lighting components may provide signals to a user,such as a signal related to a strength of the battery (e.g., low, needscharging, good strength).

The battery tester may include clamps coupled via cables 160 to thehousing. The housing 110 may include ports 170 through which cables atleast partially pass through to couple with other components of thebattery tester (e.g., components to facilitate battery strengthtesting). A first end of the cables may be coupled to one or morecomponents in the housing and the second end of the cables may becoupled to clamps to allow battery testing. The clamps may couple withand/or contact a portion of the battery (e.g., leads of the battery) toallow other components of the battery tester to determine the strengthof the battery. In some implementations, wireless clamps may beutilized. For example, the housing may be capable of coupling with a setof clamps via a communication interface to operate together to test astrength of a battery.

In some implementations, the battery tester may include holsters, inwhich clamps (e.g., for coupling with a battery to be tested) may bedisposed. The holsters may be disposed, in some implementations, on thesecond part of the housing and/or on sides of the housing. Theholster(s) may be single piece, in some implementations. The holster(s)may be removable members. For example, an outer surface of the secondpart may include one or more holster recesses that are capable ofreceiving protrusion(s) disposed on an outer surface of one or moreholsters to couple the holster and the second part. The holster cup(s)may be removable and/or replaceable in some implementations. Thus, asthe holster cup(s) break (e.g., from dropping, repetitive stress due toinsertion of the clamps, etc.), holster cup(s) may be replaced. Thebattery tester may be disposable in a base. The base may have anyappropriate size and/or shape. The base may or may not include arms(e.g., to ease gripping the base). The base may be couplable to varioussurfaces such as walls.

In some implementations, the battery tester may include any appropriatecommunication interfaces to communicate with one or more other computingdevices to determine a strength of a battery, present a strength of abattery, etc.

Although a particular shape and configuration of the housing has beenillustrated, other shapes and/or configurations may be utilized, asappropriate. The housing of the battery tester may be any appropriateshape and/or size. The housing may include any appropriate materialand/or any appropriate opacity. The hardness of at least a portion ofthe housing may be selected to resist wear and/or damage from accidentaldrops. The surface hardness of at least a portion the housing may be atleast approximately 65.

The housing may include one or more chamfered and/or beveled corners. Insome implementations, one or more edges may be beveled. As illustrated,the chamfer and/or bevel may be similar and/or complementary on thefirst and the second parts of the housing.

In various implementations, the housing may be configured to facilitateholding the battery tester in a hand during use and/or transport. Asillustrated, the first side and/or second side of the housing may belarger than an area between the first side and the second side. In someimplementations, the outer surface of the second part may include araised surface 139 between the third side and the fourth side. Theraised surface may more easily fit into a curved hand while a user holdsthe device than an approximately planar outer surface of a second partof the housing. The magnets may be disposed in the portion of the cavitycorresponding to the raised surface to allow weaker and/or less magnetsto be used than if the magnets were disposed in the surfaces adjacentthe raised surface. In some implementations, the raised surface may beproximate the first side and/or may not extend to the second side of thehousing. In some implementations, the raised surface may be used insteadof sticky feet, straps, and/or tacky housing material. The raisedsurface may facilitate gripping of the housing as well as and/or betterthan these options. Additionally, unlike tacky surfaces, feet, and/orstraps, the raised surface may be more durable (e.g., since it does notneed to be replaced like lost feet, broken straps; and/or washed torestore tackiness, etc.).

As illustrated, FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an implementation of an examplebattery tester system. As illustrated the battery tester system mayinclude a battery tester and a base in which the battery tester mayreside (e.g., during use and/or when not in use).

FIGS. 2A-2S illustrate an implementation of an example battery testerand portions thereof. As illustrated, a camera and/or other type ofsensor may be disposed on the second opposing side of the batterytester. The camera and/or other type of sensor may be disposed in anyappropriate position on the battery tester. The camera and/or other typeof sensor may be disposed between the holster cups. In someimplementations, the camera and/or other type of sensor may not beinhibited from obtaining images and/or other readings when the clampsare disposed in the holster. During use, since the clamps may be coupledto the battery and may not be disposed in the holster, the clamps and/orcabling from the wire may not inhibit image capture and/or sensorreadings (e.g., since the cabling may exit the housing of the batterytesting proximate a bottom of the tester and/or below the holster). Theposition of the camera and/or other type of sensor on the battery testerbetween the holster may be selected such that when a user is holding thebattery tester the camera and/or sensor may not be blocked by fingersand/or palms that hold the battery tester (e.g., since the user may holdthe battery tester in the middle and/or below the holster). Thus,inadvertently erroneous readings may be inhibited via placement betweenthe holster.

FIGS. 2A-2N illustrate an implementation of an example battery testerhousing and portions thereof. The housing may include two or more parts.In some implementations, the housing includes magnets to operate as amagnetic battery tester housing as described herein.

FIGS. 3A-3P an implementation of an example battery tester housing andportions thereof. The housing may include two or more parts. In someimplementations, the housing includes magnets to operate as a magneticbattery tester housing as described herein.

FIGS. 4A-4G illustrate an implementation of an example battery testerhousing and portions thereof. The housing may include two or more parts.In some implementations, the housing includes magnets to operate as amagnetic battery tester housing as described herein.

FIGS. 5A-5O illustrate an implementation of an example battery testerhousing and portions thereof. The housing may include two or more parts.In some implementations, the housing includes magnets to operate as amagnetic battery tester housing as described herein. As illustrated inFIG. 5H, the holsters for the clamps may be removable. The outer surfaceof the second part of the housing may include holster recesses and theouter surface of the holsters may include protrusions receivable by theholster recesses of the housing. The holsters may be coupled by slidingand/or snapping the holster onto the outer surface of the second part ofthe housing.

In some implementations, the magnet(s) and/or magnet receivingmembers(s) may be disposed on an inner surface of the first side. Forexample, the magnet(s) may be coupled to an inner surface of the firstside such that at least a portion of the outer surface of the first partof the housing contacts the magnetic surface when coupled to themagnetic surface. Coupling the first part may protect the “face” of thebattery tester (e.g., presentation interface such as lighting componentsand/or screen; input device; etc.) when not in use.

In some implementations the magnet(s) and/or magnet receiving member(s)may be disposed on an outer surface of the first side and/or second sideof the housing. Positioning the magnets on an outer surface mayfacilitate replacement of magnets and/or facilitate coupling of thebattery tester on a magnetic surface since the magnetic region may bevisible.

Although the first part and the second part are described andillustrated as separate pieces, the first part and the second part maybe joined (e.g., clamshell arrangement). Although the first part and thesecond part are described and illustrated as unibody pieces the firstand/or second parts may include one or more segments that form the firstpart and/or second part.

Described process(es) may be implemented by various systems, such as thesystems described herein. In addition, various operations may be added,deleted, and/or modified. In some implementations, operations of theprocess(es) may be performed in combination with other describedprocesses or portions thereof.

As described herein, terms describing position such as front, back, top,bottom are relative terminology used to designate a side from anotherside. The term describing position may or may not correspond to anorientation to a user during use.

It is to be understood the implementations are not limited to particularsystems or processes described which may, of course, vary. It is also tobe understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular implementations only, and is not intended to belimiting. As used in this specification, the singular forms “a”, “an”and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly indicatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a holster” includes acombination of two or more holsters and reference to “a keypad” includesdifferent types and/or combinations of keypads.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may bemade herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of thepresent application is not intended to be limited to the particularembodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter,means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure,processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed thatperform substantially the same function or achieve substantially thesame result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appendedclaims are intended to include within their scope such processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A battery tester capable of testing astrength of a battery, the battery tester comprising: a housingcomprising: a first side; a second opposing side; a third side disposedbetween the first side and the second side of the housing; a fourth sidedisposed between the first side and the second side of the housing; afirst part; a second part coupled to the first part, wherein the secondpart comprises: an inner surface; an outer surface; a raised portionthat extends from the outer surface; four or more magnet receivingmembers disposed on the inner surface in the raised portion; and four ormore magnets disposed in the four or more magnet receiving members,wherein the four or more magnets comprises: a first magnet; a secondmagnet; a third magnet; and a fourth magnet; wherein the first magnetand the second magnet are disposed closer to the first side than thethird magnet and the fourth magnet; and wherein the first magnet and thethird magnet are disposed closer to the third side than the secondmagnet and the fourth magnet; and a cavity disposed between the coupledfirst part and the second part, wherein the cavity extends into theinner surface of the raised portion extending from the outer surface,and wherein the cavity is configured to receive the magnets and one ormore components capable of testing a strength of a battery; wherein thehousing of the battery tester is magnetic such that the battery testercan be coupled to a magnetic surface.
 2. The battery tester of claim 1wherein the housing further comprises ports proximate the second side ofthe housing; and cables extending through the ports and coupled toclamps, wherein the clamps are configured to contact battery leadsduring testing of a strength of the battery.
 3. The battery tester ofclaim 1 wherein one or more of the magnets comprise neodymium magnets.4. The battery tester of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of thesecond part of the housing includes a rubberized outer surface.
 5. Thebattery tester of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the second partof the housing has a greater potential friction than the first part ofthe housing to inhibit movement of the battery tester when coupled tothe magnetic surface.
 6. The battery tester of claim 1 wherein thehousing further comprises a third part disposed between the first partand the second part when the first part and the second of the housingare coupled.
 7. The battery tester of claim 1 wherein the third partcomprises a gasket.
 8. The battery tester of claim 1 wherein the firstpart and the second part comprise chamfered corners.
 9. The batterytester of claim 1 wherein the first part and the second part compriseone or more beveled edges.
 10. A battery tester housing comprising: afirst side; a second opposing side; a third side disposed between thefirst side and the second side of the housing; a fourth side disposedbetween the first side and the second side of the housing; a first part;a second part coupled to the first part, wherein the second partcomprises: an inner surface; an outer surface; four or more magnetreceiving members disposed on the inner surface of the second part ofthe housing; and four or more magnets disposed in the four or moremagnet receiving members, wherein the four or more magnets comprises: afirst magnet; a second magnet; a third magnet; and a fourth magnet;wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are disposed closer tothe first side than the third magnet and the fourth magnet; and whereinthe first magnet and the third magnet are disposed closer to the thirdside than the second magnet and the fourth magnet; and a cavity disposedbetween the coupled first part and the second part, and wherein thecavity is configured to receive the magnets and one or more componentscapable of testing a strength of a battery; wherein the housing of thebattery tester is magnetic such that the battery tester can be coupledto a magnetic surface.
 11. The battery tester housing of claim 10further comprising: a raised portion that extends from the outersurface; wherein the cavity extends into the inner surface of the raisedportion, wherein the magnet receiving members are disposed in theportion of the cavity that extends into the raised portion.
 12. Thebattery tester housing of claim 10 further comprising ports proximatethe second side of the housing; and cables extending through the portsand coupled to clamps, wherein the clamps are configured to contactbattery leads during testing of a strength of the battery.
 13. Thebattery tester housing of claim 10 wherein one or more of the magnetscomprise neodymium magnets.
 14. The battery tester housing of claim 10wherein at least a portion of the second part of the housing includes arubberized outer surface.
 15. The battery tester housing of claim 10wherein at least a portion of the second part of the housing has agreater potential friction than the first part of the housing to inhibitmovement of the battery tester when coupled to the magnetic surface. 16.The battery tester housing of claim 10 further comprising a third partdisposed between the first part and the second part when the first partand the second of the housing are coupled.
 17. The battery testerhousing of claim 10 wherein the third part comprises a gasket.
 18. Thebattery tester housing of claim 10 wherein the first part and the secondpart comprise chamfered corners.
 19. The battery tester housing of claim10 wherein the first part and the second part comprise one or morebeveled edges.
 20. The battery tester housing of claim 10 wherein thelength of the housing is greater proximate the first side and the secondside of the housing than at least a portion of the housing between thefirst side and the second side.